Symptomless, He Still Needs Cardiac Rehab

KEENAN'S CORNER

February 15, 1996|by NANCY KEENAN (A free-lance story for The Morning Call)

It was a jolt when my husband's doctor said he was heading for cardiac trouble.

In addition to watching his diet, he is a heavy exerciser, with no symptoms. His doctor had ordered several tests to be sure all that exercise was appropriate for someone his age.

We were both anxious on his first visit to the cardiologist he chose. She said his condition should respond to medication and cardiac rehabilitation. Angioplasty or surgery were not needed, she added, as we sighed in relief.

But cardiac rehabilitation? Wasn't that something for people who had heart attacks? We were about to find out it is that and more.

The cardiac rehabilitation program he chose is located at Grand View Hospital, Sellersville. Neither of us knew what to expect as we scheduled his indoctrination session.

Spouses are encouraged to attend any sessions. The first session answered many of our questions, laying out what would be happening over the next several months.

He would exercise at the rehab unit three times a week. There would be occasional sessions about nutrition and diet, information about coronary risk factors, etc.

The class he joined was just forming, and soon they were joking and exchanging cholesterol jokes and low-fat recipes. His classmates included people recovering from heart attacks and by-pass surgery, as well as some who returned for exercise monitoring.

The staff helps each understand the connection between diet, exercise, stress, smoking, behavior, and other factors that can combine to make people prime targets for heart problems.

Exercise equipment includes stationary bicycle, treadmill, stepping machine, rowing machine, ski machine, and upper biceps strengthening machine. This was not the least bit intimidating or frightening. It looked like fun.

Dave Bergey began giving instructions and taking the class through warm-up exercises, after which he circulated from one to another, checking blood pressure and pulse rate at regular intervals.

My husband was instructed to spend about 10 minutes on each machine at a pace that was comfortable. His instruction included how to hook himself to the heart monitor that told a central computer what was happening to his heart each step of the way.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Co-ordinator Laurel Landis told me exercise parameters were established for each person and their doctor would be advised of results. Students are told to report any illness or new complaint. They are told to stop at once if they suffer angina pain. "We want to see how they look, how they feel," Landis said. Information is used by doctors to determine future treatment, she noted.

She said programs vary in length, up to 12 weeks. Treatment duration depends on the person's condition and their insurance allowance.

"People want to get back to what they have done before, and sometimes more. They want to know their parameters, and we give that to them," Landis explained.

"If you've had a heart attack, there's something inside you telling you you're a mortal person. People can make changes if they understand. We can give them an education about their risk factors that will help them to change."

Two dietitians work closely with the participants. "People need structure," Landis said. "Most people can't do it on their own."

Landis continued, "We look at ourselves as a prevention -- preventing another cardiac event. We're your resource people. You need to utilize us, but you need to do the work."

Two new support services are a cardiac support group scheduled to meet from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. the last Wednesday of each month, and a monthly nutrition lecture. Some of the various topics to be discussed include Creative Weight Control Strategies, Reading Food Labels, Healthy Convenience Food and Dining Out. The nutrition series runs from February through December with sessions scheduled from 1:30 to 3 p.m. the first Wednesday and from 5:30 to 7 p.m. the first Thursday.

Most insurance companies will pay for the cardiac rehabilitation treatment, with the exception of certain HMO's.

February is heart month. Have you been ignoring shortness of breath; pain in your chest, back or arm; heavy feeling in your chest; irregular heart beat, or other symptoms? Don't delay; check with your doctor now. Cardiac rehabilitation could save your life.

I was happy to hear my husband say, "Now I know how I should respond to exercise. I know when to stop." We both learned more about diet and risk factors, and are working on managing his health.